DA boots No.4 Cape Town candidate before elections - IOL

DA Councillor Abdulkader Elyas lied about his qualifications.

The DA has terminated the membership of Cape Town councillor Abdulkader “AK” Elyas with immediate effect following a decision by the party’s Federal Executive.

The decision was taken on Wednesday night and brings an end to Elyas’ ward councillor candidacy after an earlier disciplinary process in which he was found guilty of five charges relating to false claims about his qualifications.

Elyas had previously escaped immediate expulsion after the termination of his membership was suspended as part of the sanction imposed against him.

He remained a City of Cape Town councillor and was subsequently placed fourth on the DA’s proportional representation candidate list for Cape Town ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

His continued membership had come under renewed pressure in recent weeks.

Cape Argus previously reported that DA members wanted Elyas expelled, with questions raised over whether his involvement in the party’s Western Cape election campaign was compatible with the conditions imposed following the disciplinary proceedings.

The party had until now maintained that the disciplinary matter had been concluded.

DA Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers previously told IOL that the party respected the integrity of its disciplinary processes and would not publicly discuss confidential details.

Elyas’ termination comes just over a month before voters go to the polls and after his inclusion high up on the DA’s Cape Town candidate list had already placed the controversy back under scrutiny.

Elyas had been placed fourth on the DA’s proportional representation list for Cape Town ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

His termination means he will no longer contest the election for the DA.